OBITUARY: Eugene Edward McConnell

Eugene Edward McConnell, age 90, a resident of Harrisburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at his residence.

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The Daily Register - Harrisburg, IL

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Posted Apr. 22, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Updated Apr 22, 2013 at 10:57 AM

Posted Apr 22, 2013 at 10:54 AM
Updated Apr 22, 2013 at 10:57 AM

HARRISBURG

Eugene Edward McConnell, age 90, a resident of Harrisburg, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at his residence.

He was born on Sept. 9, 1922, to Kingsley Edward and Ethel Mae (Renshaw) McConnell in the Lone Oak Community north of Harrisburg. On Aug. 11, 1951, he married the love of his life, Virginia Ruth Melton, who preceded him in death on Aug. 17, 2012.

He is survived by three daughters, Carol (Steve) Wallace of Thompsonville, Sue (Stanley) Stokes of Eldorado and Jeanie (Richard) Vinyard of Harrisburg; four granddaughters, Stephanie Wallace, Amanda Stokes of Harrisburg, Elizabeth (Adam) Hughes of Eldorado and Megan (Brian) Sinks of Evansville, Ind.; and two grandsons, Johnathan Vinyard and Aaron (Autumn) Vinyard both of Harrisburg. He has five great-grandchildren, Skyler, Gavin, and Raechel Vinyard of Stephenville, Texas, Brooklyn and Nathan Hughes of Eldorado. He is survived by one brother, Maurice (Betty) McConnell of Harrisburg; one sister, Betty Mazikas of Raleigh; and a sister-in-law, Lucy (Read) McConnell of Harrisburg, along with several nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews.

Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Edward Eugene “Eddie Gene”; two brothers, Raymond and Harold; Harold’s wife, Barbara Nell; and a brother-in-law, Bert Mazikas. He was a retired farmer who believed that the loudest sermon you could ever preach was not with words, but how you daily lived your life for the Lord.

Service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Reed Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Buddy Peyton officiating, burial will follow in Raleigh Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be 10 a.m. to service time Tuesday at the funeral home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either Galatia United Methodist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.